EP210: Science washing: decoding scientism in the beauty industry

In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier talks to Harry McIlwraith, the visionary mind behind The Upcycled Beauty Company, a trailblazing venture revolutionising the beauty industry by repurposing overlooked food waste resources into potent skincare ingredients. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Harry's insights shed light on the incredible potential of upcycled beauty and inspire us to rethink traditional manufacturing practices. Join us as we uncover the fascinating story behind The Upcycled Beauty Company and discover how this visionary approach is reshaping the future of skincare.  FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

In the latest episode of Green Beauty Conversations, we delve into the “science washing” that is rife in the beauty industry. This term, akin to its near neighbour “greenwashing”, refers to the use of scientific jargon to mask pseudoscientific ideas. Last week, podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, explored the nuances of so-called “medical-grade skincare” with Ana Green, Education Manager at Formula Botanica. They unpacked its role as a marketing term, and how its hype often misleads consumers about the quality and real efficacy of skincare products. In this opinion episode, Lorraine unravels the broader implications of scientism or “science washing” in the beauty industry. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

Today, we are seeing a rise in so-called medical-grade skincare and liberal use of the word “clinical” to describe brands and formulations. In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by colleague School Education Manager Ana Green to delve into the controversial world of medical-grade skincare, and explore the intricacies of this term and its implications. Ana sheds light on the marketing strategies behind the medical-grade term and unravels whether there’s substance behind the claims of cosmetic formulations penetrating deeper with higher levels of actives. Is medical grade just a marketing term to ensure brands do exclusive sales deals and attach luxury price tags to their products? Listen in for the big reveal on medical-grade cosmetics. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

Have you ever felt isolated due to a beauty concern, thinking you're the only one struggling? This episode of the Green Beauty Conversations podcast, hosted by Lorraine Dallmeier, delves into the myths and realities surrounding beauty standards. It highlights the silence and stigma around female hair loss, challenges the negative perceptions of hyperpigmentation and cellulite, and advocates for a broader representation of beauty across the industry. By sharing high-profile stories and calling for more diversity in beauty narratives, the episode encourages a celebration of humanity's diverse appearances, emphasising that our differences are not abnormalities, but facets of our collective beauty. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube | Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

In this episode, we give voice to the often unspoken world of hair loss, particularly in women. Podcast host and Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier talks to guest Helena Gibson, a seasoned expert in haircare solutions, who shares her insights into the stigma and solutions to hair loss in women. The issue prompted Helena's journey into business with her company Strut Hair Solutions, and the creation of Unveil Restorative Haircare, a line of haircare products targeting weak and thinning hair and hair loss. Helena's personal and professional experiences shed light on the impact of hair loss on self-esteem and identity, and saw her offer hope and solutions through innovative products and empathetic support. Tune in now to take part in a very important conversation that affects millions of people around the world, but has typically excluded women from the discussion and solutions.

Is the beauty industry truly saturated? In a world where being the first is often confused with being the best, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier uses this episode of Green Beauty Conversations to discuss the opportunities and risks facing beauty brands. Featuring insights from industry pioneers and a special homage to Dame Anita Roddick’s legacy of The Body Shop, this episode is a wake-up call to aspiring beauty entrepreneurs. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

In this episode, we dive deep into the rise and fall of an iconic beauty brand, The Body Shop. Podcast host and Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Wizz Selvey, a seasoned beauty retail expert and analyst, for an insightful exploration of the brand’s evolution over the years. Wizz explains the challenges the familiar, and much-loved beauty retailer faced, from its changing ownership to shifts in consumer behaviour, and unravels the recent announcement of The Body Shop entering into administration. This episode covers the fate of a beauty giant that was a feature of our shopping streets for nearly 50 years. If you are curious about The Body Shop news, and keen to glean insights into the ever-changing, and often ruthless landscape of the beauty industry, this episode is a must-listen. Stay tuned for a thought-provoking discussion on the impact of activism, sustainability efforts, and the crucial role of innovation in the beauty industry. To learn more about this episode, all of the links that were mentioned and anything else, please visit the show notes on the Formula Botanica website. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

In our last episode, host Lorraine Dallmeier had a fascinating discussion with Joel Tasche, Founder of CleanHub, on the beauty industry’s sustainability challenges, in particular its commitment to reducing its reliance on plastic, which as we know, has a huge carbon footprint. Building on that conversation, today’s episode takes a close look into a groundbreaking report in late 2023 by the Carbon Trust, provocatively titled “Greenhouse Gloss – Is the beauty industry’s commitment to tackling climate change more than skin deep?” If you missed Lorraine's conversation with Joel Tasche, be sure to catch up, as it sets the stage for her exploration in this Green Beauty Opinion of the beauty industry’s damning environmental impact. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

In this episode, we have an enlightening conversation with Joel Tasche, the visionary founder and CEO of CleanHub, a company dedicated to liberating the planet from plastic pollution. Growing up with a profound connection to the ocean through sailing and surfing, Joel’s passion for marine conservation led him to establish CleanHub with a mission to create, foster and shape waste management solutions where this infrastructure is lacking globally. This is a subject close to the heart of podcast host and Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier, who is a Chartered Environmentalist and biologist. In conversation with Joel, Lorraine unravels the layers of sustainable packaging, waste management intricacies, and the environmental impact and responsibilities of the beauty industry in reducing plastic waste at source. Join us as we explore the initiatives taken by CleanHub to address plastic pollution and create a positive change in the beauty industry. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

In this opinion episode, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier dives deep into a topic that’s been buzzing in the beauty industry for a while – upcycled ingredients. In a world where environmental consciousness is on the rise, and the use of waste materials to create beauty products is gaining traction, you would think that upcycling food industry waste and byproducts as cosmetic ingredients would be unquestioned. However, some might ask if there are potential downsides to what is, in effect, synonymous with putting waste on our faces. Join Lorraine as she explores the intriguing questions surrounding zero waste and upcycling raised by her guest in the last episode – Terence Chung of FRUU Cosmetics – and navigates the intersection of sustainability, marketing, and consumer perceptions. To learn more about this episode, all of the links that were mentioned and anything else, please visit the show notes on the Formula Botanica website. FREE FORMULATION RESOURCES Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram